Poetry

Growing Pains

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Growing Pains
by Kelly F. Barr

Your two big brothers are grown;
And you felt they left you alone.
However, you still have Mom and Dad–
This new normal made you sad and mad.

The first year was tough
Because you didn’t think Mom and Dad were enough.
You rebelled;
Your mother’s frustration swelled.

But we managed to survive,
And now our second year has arrived.
You have learned time with Mom and Dad can be fun
And today a new family tradition has begun.

You’re learning that trailing a bit behind
May have blessings of an unexpected kind.
Now maybe you can look forward to each coming year
With true hopefulness, contentment and cheer.

Tea and Books

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I do not know if this poem style has a name. Yes, it includes some rhymes, but not in the usual places and not in any sort of scheme. I simply wrote this, freewriting, telling of a couple of things I love. I hope you enjoy it.

Tea and Books
by Kelly F. Barr

Nothing is more relaxing than snuggling in a chair
With a cup of tea and a good book.
Oh the taste of loose-leaf teas in so many flavors
Or convenient tea bags of Oolong, Chamomile, or my favorite–Chai!
And, oh so many books to choose from!

Have you ever taken a look between the pages of a book?
So many wonderful things to find including things that will grow your mind.
Nonfiction choices are informative, inspirational, and educational.
Fiction choices offer adventure, excitement, romance and more.
Fiction can even keep you on the edge of your seat.

Fiction brings you danger, intrigue, suspense, and love.
Fictional characters are heroes, villains, children, youth, and adults
That capture your heart despite their faults.
Characters face trials, disappointments and failures;
They learn and grow and change before the last page.

A good book draws you into the story and makes you fall in love
With places, a time period, or one or more characters.
A good book becomes a close friend and breaks your heart when it ends.
The story or the characters, or both, will linger in your mind and heart;
At least until you pick up the next book to start.

The Cause of Violence: A Poem

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I’m currently studying and learning new how to write different forms of poetry I haven’t written before. Today’s poem is my first attempt at writing a Prose Poem. I hope you will like it.

The Cause of Violence
by Kelly F. Barr

As we all know, unnecessary violence is running rampant in our world–on the streets, in schools, churches, and theaters. Voices shout, “guns must be made illegal”, while others argue “it is not guns, but people who kill other people”.

However, all of the voices are missing the point, or, more to the point, denying the real cause–the fact that the people, the culture, the government, schools, and yes, even the churches have turned their backs on the truth of God’s word.

Self-centeredness and entitlement have replaced the Ten Commandments. Instead of repenting of their sins, people are reveling and indulging in sinful behaviors.

Even pastors disregard the truth of God’s word and preach that sinful behaviors are acceptable; that God is love and therefore, would never send anyone to hell.

Wake up! Christ is still alive and well! Oh, you say, the Bible’s just a bunch of old stories. It’s time to move on to modern things: cell phones, computers, the information age on the internet.

Not only do you deny the truth of the Bible, but you denounce true history–claiming there never was a holocaust.

You’re marching down a dangerous road heedless of the landmines as you run with your eyes closed.

But what will you do if the true believers are right, and one day you come face to face with Jesus Christ?

The Mighty Ocean: A Poem

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The Mighty Ocean
by Kelly F. Barr

I watch the waves crash upon the sand
Just inches from where I stand.
In their wake, they leave debris;
And drag yet other things out to sea.

Memories tumble in my brain,
Like the waves upon the sandy grains,
Of a day when a wave fell upon my head
Dragging and pulling–filling me with dread.

I struggled to find my feet
But the water’s power couldn’t be beat.
Seeking help, my hands groped,
Finding a body–help, I hoped.

Finally I stood upright,
Still shaking from fright.
Your eyes looked at me in shock.
My composure shook and rocked.

Embarrassment sent me to the shore,
To return to the ocean nevermore.
Water filled with so much power
Brings me to awe and makes me cower.

Lady Ninja; A Poem

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Lady Ninja
by Kelly F. Barr

The lightning flashed,
The thunder rolled.
Though her heart pounded with fear,
Her actions were bold.

She leaped and spun in the air;
Lightning emblazoned her sword’s blade.
The water caused her sleek black suit to shimmer.
Her eyes glowed bright jade.

The men, dressed in red, circled round;
She swung her leg toward their feet
While her sword sliced their middles.
In the end, she, alone, remained standing in the street.

My New Hero

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Okay, so he’s not really my hero, but he is definitely an inspiration and I can’t wait to research him to learn more about him and read his writings. “Who?” You ask — Sir Walter Scott!

You see, my sister-in-law and her husband and son recently went on vacation to Europe and when they came back, she sent me copies of the following photos because she had taken them because they made her think of me. Aww!

Why did they make her think of me? Because Sir Walter Scott, as the photo of the plaque below explains, created the genre of the historical novel, which is what I write! And, they built a monument to honor him in Edinburgh, Scotland (pictured below). It is the largest monument to a writer in the world! (I jokingly said, “Some day they’ll build one in my honor.” To which my middle son groaned.)    😀

Sir Walter Scott wrote one of my favorite stories, Ivanhoe, which I haven’t read in years, but now I’ll have to revisit.

What do you know about Sir Walter Scott? What did he write that you like?

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The Tastes of Summer: A Poem

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The Tastes of Summer
by Kelly F. Barr

Summer weather may not be my thing;
I much prefer Autumn and Spring.
However, when it comes to summer fare
To strawberries and peaches nothing compares.

Shortcake, cobblers, ice cream and pies
Make my mouth water, my taste buds fly.
Winter fruit quickly grows boring
So many apples and apple pastries leave me snoring.

Freezing and canning is the way to go
To enjoy summer tastes even in snow.
Lancaster county is the place to be
To experience all of these so joyfully.

Our Fascinating Visitors: A Poem

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Our Fascinating Visitors
by Kelly F. Barr

Squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, opossums, and skunks
Are just the regular critters that have visited our yard.
Snakes, groundhogs, a pheasant and wild turkeys
Are visitors — a little more rare and bizarre.

Lots of bugs, spiders and birds also crawl
On our deck, in our garden, on our ground.
With all of these wonderful sounds and sights;
Right at home, adventures abound.

Defeat the Blank Screen: A Poem

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Defeat the Blank Screen
by Kelly F. Barr

Facing a blank screen
Can unnerve the most creative mind.
Good keyboard skills can defeat the blank — sight unseen.
Closed eyes; moving fingers, then open eyes find
Letters, words, sentences, paragraphs–a created scene
Which can grow into pages to print and bind.

The Narrow Road (A Poem)

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The Narrow Road

by Kelly F. Barr

 

As I travel through this life

Facing troubles and strife;

I come to a fork in the road

Adjust my backpack, shifting its load.

 

To my left, the road is wide

And many are traveling there.

There’s a narrow footpath on the other side;

One or two slowly walk it with care.

 

Antics and raucous laughter

From the wide road echo.

A gentle push aids the first, from the one after,

On the narrow road, as their pace slows.

 

“Which road will you choose?”

Speaks a still, small voice.

“On which is there less to lose?”

I ask and wait, poised.

 

“Destruction awaits at the end of the wide road.

The narrow road leads to life.”

“The journey’s much harder on the narrow,” I crow.

“Yes, and you may choose — eternal strife or eternal life.”

 

From the wide road, friends’ voices call to me.

I stand up straight, breathe deep, and wipe my brow.

No friends on the narrow road do I see.

Decision made: Eternal Life — more valuable than the ease of the journey.